Probe committee formed regarding visit visa scam: RSP, RPP express disagreement on it

Kathmandu, June 24: The government has formed a high-level study and investigation committee under chairmanship of former Chief Secretary, Shanker Das Bairagi, regarding immigration and visit visa scam.  

Demanding the time with Speaker Devraj Ghimire in the beginning of today's meeting of the House of Representatives, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak responded the queries of lawmakers put forth on contemporary issues.

On the occasion, he shared that Joint-Secretaries of six ministries are the members of the probe committee. 

They are Tirtha Raj Chilwal (Finance Ministry), Aruna Joshi (Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Ministry), Ram Krishna Lamichhane (Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation), Mani Ratna Koirala (Foreign Ministry), Pradip Koirala (Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security) and Ananda Kafle (Home Ministry).

Minister Lekhak mentioned that the committee was formed as per the commitment to take concrete initiative for policy-level, legal and structural reforms in order to resolve visit-visa related problems seen since the past.  

Earlier, ruling parties and opposition parties had agreed to form a high-level probe committee regarding the visit visa scam. 

However, the two opposition parties—Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, have expressed their disagreement on the high-level study and probe committee.  

Putting forth his view, Dr Swarnim Wagle said the committee formed under chairmanship of former Chief Secretary Bairagi is not acceptable to them.

He added that it was necessary to form the parliamentary probe committee under coordination of incumbent or former justice. 

Similarly, Gyan Bahadur Shahi of RPP demanded to investigate on 14 home ministers appointed in last 18 years regarding visit visa scam. 

"We cannot accept this committee. This committee cannot provide justice. This matter is above political and power interest. Action should be taken against all guilty whoever they are", he argued.

Lawmakers of two parties boycotted the meeting after putting forth their views. (RSS)